Crimes against women & children rise in Bengaluru in 2023, show police data
Bengaluru: Bengaluru has witnessed a significant increase in crime against women in 2023 with the city police registering 3,260 cases including 1,135 related to molestation, shows official data.
The police attributed the rise to enhanced awareness, initiatives of filing suo moto cases and registration of e-FIRs, among other factors.
In 2023, the city also witnessed an increase in other crimes as compared to the previous two years with the police registering 205 cases of murder, 153 cases of chain snatching, 673 robbery cases, 1,692 cases of house thefts and 5,909 cases of motor vehicle thefts, according to the data shared by the police.
According to the data, the city police registered 2020 FIRs related to crime against women in 2021, 2630 FIRs in 2022 and 3,260 FIRs in 2023. Out of the total cases of crime against women reported last year, the city police was successful in detecting 3,121 cases.
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In 2023, the police registered 176 cases of rape, 1,135 cases of molestation, 60 cases related to insulting modesty of women, 25 cases related to dowry death, 696 cases related to cruelty by husband or relatives of husband, 161 cases of immoral trafficking act and 1,007 cases related to dowry prohibition act.
The city also saw an increase in cases of crime against children in 2023 with the police registering 631 cases, out of which 560 were registered under the POCSO (Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences) Act. Police succeeded in detecting 588 cases.
Last year, Bengaluru saw an increase in gambling cases with police registering 639 cases as compared to the previous two years. 588 and 622 gambling cases were registered in 2021 and 2022 respectively, the data showed.
The city also reported 2,358 suicides and 5,848 accidental deaths last year due to electrocution, drowning, burning, fall from height and poisoning, among others. The data also stated that 6,006 persons were reported missing in Bengaluru in 2023. Out of these, police succeeded in tracing 5,026 people while 1,189 kidnapping cases were registered. Out of this, 981 cases were detected. Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, the Bengaluru Police registered 3,443 cases, seized 5387 kg drugs worth Rs 103.22 crore and arrested 4,399 persons in 2023, the data showed.
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India, New Zealand ink free trade agreement
New Delhi (PTI): India and New Zealand on Monday inked a free trade agreement, aimed at boosting two-way commerce and investments.
The pact was signed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and visiting New Zealand's Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.
The FTA provides duty-free access for 100 per cent of India's exports to New Zealand, covering all tariff lines or produce categories, and is expected to significantly boost MSMEs and employment by enhancing competitiveness in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, and processed foods.
Earlier, New Zealand maintained peak tariffs of up to 10 per cent on key Indian exports, including ceramics, carpets, automobiles, and auto components.
With zero-duty market access from entry into force as New Zealand's other trade partners, Indian products will be fully competitive in that country, enjoying a level playing field.
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Significantly, India also secured duty-free inputs for its manufacturing sector, including wooden logs, coking coal, and waste and scraps of metals, lowering production costs and enhancing the global competitiveness of the Indian industry.
On the other hand, India has offered tariff liberalisation on 70.03 per cent of tariff lines covering 95 per cent of bilateral trade value, while keeping 29.97 per cent of tariff lines excluded to protect India's sensitive sectors.
The products that are kept in exclusion are mainly -- dairy (milk, cream, whey, yoghurt, cheese etc.), animal products (other than sheep meat), agricultural products (onions, chana, peas, corn, almonds), sugar, artificial honey, animal, vegetable or microbial fats and oils, arms and ammunition, gems and jewellery, copper and articles thereof (cathodes, cartridges, rods, bars, coils), aluminium and articles thereof (ingots, billets, wire bars) among others.
On 30 per cent of tariff lines of New Zealand, India will provide duty elimination on goods such as wood, wool, sheep meat, and leather-raw hides.
Similarly, 35.60 per cent of tariff lines are subject to phased elimination over 3, 5, 7, and 10 years, including petroleum oil, malt extract, vegetable oils, selected electrical and mechanical machinery, and peptones.
New Zealand products which enjoy tariff reductions include wine, pharmaceutical drugs, polymers, aluminum, iron and steel articles, and goods that only 0.06 per cent fall under tariff rate quotas, including Manuka honey, apples, kiwi fruit, and albumins, including milk albumin.
The FTA also includes a commitment to facilitate USD 20 billion in investment into India.
A rebalancing clause is incorporated into the Agreement to provide a framework for addressing any shortfall in investment delivery, thereby ensuring robust and tangible economic outcomes.
Total bilateral trade in goods and services reached USD 2.4 billion in 2024.
